Although the state government has taken a landmark decision to ban all kinds of plastic, including those above 40 microns from Monday to safeguard the environment, it may have a struggle on its hands as doing away with it entirely could be difficult in the absence of proper alternatives.
While the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) and BBMP officials are gearing up to enforce to ban in the city, the challenges are aplenty. From cracking down on illegal imports to locking down factories, the officials will have to use an iron hand to end the plastic menace especially when the manufacturers are up in arms and planning to knock on the doors of the courts.
But welcoming the government’s move enthusiastically, environmentalists and civic activists have vowed to form groups to create awareness among consumers about the ill effects of plastic and make the ban a success.
Ms Kalpana Kar, who is a member of the expert committee on Solid Waste Management formed by the high court, says its time the public took to alternatives like jute, paper and cloth bags.” Even at weddings and other functions bio-degradable material like arecanut and banana leaves can be used,” she suggested.
“Rome was not built overnight and no changes can be expected immediately. However, this a beginning and the government has taken the first step,” she added, maintaining that the public mindset had to change as people needed to realise how hazardous plastic was and its long term impact on natural resources.
BBMP special commissioner (Solid Waste Management) Subodh Yadav meanwhile says the civic agency is still working on the procedures and the penalties for different violations. “We are in the process of identifying the officers who will be responsible for the different kinds of raids that will take place. We have collected a high penalty over the last few days and this could make vendors understand t they are not allowed to use low value plastic,” he said
Mr Lakshman chairman of the KSPCB), which intends to crack down on the plastic manufacturing industry, says a state level meeting will be held on Tuesday to chalk out its future course of action.
Citizens to help enforce the ban
Buoyed by the ban, founder of the Solid Waste Management Round Table (SWMRT), N.S Ramakanth says a citizen movement will ensure it is fully implemented.
As many as 500 activists in Koramangala alone have come forward to participate in the drive against plastic, he reveals. “Over 50 people are on board in Yelahanka and Bommanahalli zones too. Anti-plastic campaigns and awareness drives will take off in the coming weeks,” he added.
“Resident welfare associations from every zone have joined hands with the BBMP and SWMRT to bring in the ban. People of many wards have themelves decided to make sure that plastic is fully banned. They will act like watchdogs and visit every shop to see that shopkeepers are not selling plastic covers. People will also join BBMP officials on visits to malls and other commercial places to assist them with the anti-plastic drive,” he said.
Ban will take away plastic industry jobs, says FKCCI
While most have welcomed the government’s move to ban plastic, the Federation of Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and Industry(FKCCI) has warned it will make thousands of people employed in the plastic industry jobless.
In a press statement on Monday, its president, Tallam Dwarakanath said the ban was acceptable on plastic less than 40 microns, but not on manufacture, supply and sale of other kinds of plastic,which had become essential to our daily lives.
“The ban will work only if the government has suitable alternatives. But as it does not seem to have any yet, it cannot be effectively implemented. Instead, the new regulations will only lead to harassment of manufacturers and traders,” he contended, adding, “A number of illegal small manufacturing units keep violating regulations and manufacture less than 40 micron plastic. These units are impacting registered manufacturers and traders , who abide by the law.”
The FKCCI will hold an emergency consultation with all the members concerned and based on their suggestions will provide practical inputs to the government and stakeholders on the ban, he said.
Plastic Association stages protest
Members of the Karnataka State Plastic Association (KSPA) took to the streets to protest the ‘indiscriminate’ ban on plastic in the city on Monday.
Several plastic manufacturers and traders on Avenue Road urged the state government to revoke the ban as it would affect the livelihoods of thousands of familie.
KSPA president, Vijay Kumar said the manufacturers were being made the scapegoat for the BBMP's lack of efficiency in managing the city’s garbage.
“The association has offered to collect the plastic waste, but the BBMP is simply not interested,” he said. “We also suggested to the BBMP that it should open plastic collection kiosks across all the 198 wards. And although we are to ready to shoulder the responsibility of handing over the plastic waste collected to recyclers, it is still unwilling to listen,” he added angrily.
Mr Kumar said that the association would move the courts and hope it would consider the welfare of all those who depended on the industry.
The order bans it all
A draft notification prohibits shopkeepers, vendors, traders and hawkers from using plastic carry bags, banners, buntings, flex boards, flags, plates, cups and sheets. Industries are prohibited from manufacturing, supplying, storing or distributing plastic articles. Exporters are exempt.
‘Bigger the violation, more the penalty’
Admitting the confusion over the kind of plastic banned, BBMP’s special commissioner, (solid waste management), Subodh Yadav, however, says that with the final notification there is now better clarity on the type of plastic not allowed for use and more awareness among people.
“This will clear some of the hurdles in implementing the ban. It’s a citizen- motivated approach and when there are no buyers for plastic, the sellers too will think twice before storing it. This will help us in better enforcement,” he maintained.
As for alternatives to plastic, he said, “The people who are selling plastic themselves have alternatives to it. Although plastic is not free and is sold at a nominal price, alternatives like cloth or jute bags could cost more. Vendors need to make a choice themselves and try not to sell plastic covers.”
So what penal action can the people expect? He responds saying the BBMP is working on an action plan and penalties will be worked out based on the violations.
“Bigger the violation, more the penalty. Over the last few months we have seized large quantities of plastic and collected huge penalties. We will similarly work out penal action for violators, ” he explained.
